Job Description: Assistant ManagerReports To: Cafe General ManagerJob Status: Full time / Hourly, Non-ExemptAbout Us: ALMA ("soul" in Spanish and Portuguese) is a neighborhood coffeehouse built around the heart and community of a farmers market - rooted in community, seasonal produce from local farms and makers, and genuine hospitality. With an excellent coffee program, baked goods, savory menus, takeout, and a small beer and wine list, we aim to be a warm and welcoming spot for both locals and tourists in San Luis Obispo. The Role: As Assistant Manager, you will play an important role in the daily operations of ALMA. This position is ideal for someone who naturally leads by example and takes pride in creating exceptional guest experiences. You'll work closely with the Cafe General Manager, providing hands-on support across the cafe's operations and team. This includes helping train and coach the barista team, supporting inventory counts and ordering, assisting with scheduling, and helping facilitate the daily rhythm of the cafe so it stays organized, stocked, clean, and running smoothly throughout service. You'll also serve as a trusted key holder and point of contact when leadership is not on site, keeping the General Manager informed and looped in along the way. The ideal candidate is passionate about coffee and hospitality, calm under pressure, highly dependable, and energized by building community through excellent service.Our three core values shape everything we do: Authenticity, Respect, & Enthusiasm.Primary Duties and Responsibilities:Cafe Operations & Shift LeadershipOpen and close the cafe independently as a trusted key holderLead shifts and support the daily flow of cafe operationsServe as the "go-to" person during shifts when the GM is not presentMaintain a calm, organized, and welcoming environment during busy service periodsMonitor workflow, ticket times, and guest experience throughout serviceSupport both cafe bar and floor operations as needed to ensure smooth serviceCommunicate clearly during shift handoffs regarding inventory levels, prep needs, equipment issues, and 86'd itemsAssist with scheduling to help ensure the team is properly staffed for each shiftKeep the General Manager informed on team performance, inventory needs, and daily operations, escalating concerns as neededTroubleshoot operational issues in real time and escalate concerns appropriatelyTake ownership over a couple of the programs or projects that we run, reporting progress or issues to GM. Coffee Program & HospitalityPrepare espresso beverages, coffee, tea, and other housemade menu items with consistency, care, and attention to detailLead with warmth and genuine hospitality, creating a welcoming experience for both locals and visitors following our established Hospitality Playbook standardsAnticipate guest and team needs to help service run smoothly and efficientlyHelp ensure drinks, food, and service consistently reflect our standards and careHelp educate and inspire team members around coffee knowledge, seasonal offerings, and service standardsHold team accountable to company protocols and care standardsSupport and complete inventory counts, tracking, and ordering to help keep the cafe fully stocked and running efficientlyAssist with seasonal menu updates, beverage rollouts, and overall product qualityFollow and reinforce all food safety, sanitation, and health department standardsHiring, Training & Team DevelopmentHelp train and mentor new and existing baristas on workflow, drink preparation, guest service, and cafe standardsAssist in screening, recruiting and hiring cafe employee candidates. Support onboarding and continued team developmentHelps identify candidates who can be promoted to a Lead Barista when a position opens up, following our philosophy of always building up our bench strengthProvide real time coaching and constructive feedback with clarity and professionalismKnow our progressive disciplinary process and best practices and be comfortable writing an employee up for policy or conduct violations in collaboration with the GMHelp create training materials and implement training systems that help improve overall operations. Model reliability, accountability, strong communication, and a positive attitudeMaintain positive, professional relationships across both FOH and BOH teams to ensure a unified "one house" environmentRequired Skills and Abilities:1-2 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a cafe, coffeehouse, or hospitality environmentGenuine passion for specialty coffee, seasonal food, hospitality, and communityStrong leadership, communication, and coaching skills with the ability to give clear feedbackCalm, organized, and dependable in a fast-paced environmentA natural ability to anticipate the needs of guests and the teamExperience with training, shift leadership, scheduling, and basic operational responsibilitiesComfortable using Toast POS and Google Suite for reporting, ordering, and inventoryStrong attention to detail with ordering, inventory counts, and shift communicationSolid understanding of food safety and sanitation standardsServSafe, SHPT, and RBS certifications required (training provided)Collaborative, proactive, and motivated to continuously improve the guest and team experienceFlexible availability, including early mornings, weekends, and holidays Physical Requirements:High level of stamina to work on feet for extended periods (be able to work in a standing, upright position for long periods of time up to 8 hoursAbility to occasionally lift, move, and transport furniture, equipment, and deliveries up to 50 poundsDisclaimer: This description includes essential functions. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. In accordance with California law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. We welcome applicants from a wide variety of identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. ALMA offers reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities.